The shadows of the gaslit wings Come softly crawling down our way Before the curtain some one sings, The music sounds from far away; I stand beside you in the wings. Prying and indiscreet, the lights Illumine, if you chance to move, The prince's dress, the yellow tights, That fit your figure like a glove: You shrink a little from the lights. Divinely rosy rouged, your face Smiles, with its painted little mouth, Half tearfully, a quaint grimace; The charm and pathos of your youth Mock the mock roses of your face. And there is something in your look (Ambiguous, independent Flo!) As teasing as a half-shut book; It lures me till I long to know The many meanings of your look: The tired defiance of the eyes, Pathetically whimsical, Childish and whimsical and wise; And now, relenting after all, The softer welcome of your eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAND OF DREAMS by WILLIAM BLAKE EPILOGUE TO DRAMATIS PERSONAE by ROBERT BROWNING CORIDON'S SONG (IN ISAAK WALTON'S 'COMPLEAT ANGLER') by JOHN CHALKHILL THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 21 by OMAR KHAYYAM DAY AND NIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE GRASS STEALERS by J. MURRAY ALLISON |